JoshC.

Fair point that it could be more than £100k, but whatever amount it is, it's still surely only a negligible amount compared to how much the UK parks must make? I'm not surprised by the increase, as the pass was under-priced for what it gave really, but it just feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth to what are in theory Merlin's most loyal customers (an argument I hate using usually, but is true in this case really).

By making the renewal price £100 more than last year, instead of, say, fixing it, they're making at most £100,000 more than they would. Given that not all 1000 people will renew and how much Merlin make, the amount of extra money they're making is minuscule.

Kind of feel bad for any current VIP holders who were thinking of renewing. I know renewal prices aren't guaranteed to be cheaper than the regular price you paid, but to have the prize increase by £100 with no extra benefits in comparison is quite steep in my mind. Would have been nice if they could have at least fixed it at £500 for them, but hey ho.

Surely Chessington can't be attracting 2 million people a year?! Thorpe have only hit that figure once or twice, and Chessington still have dead days, whereas Thorpe rarely do..

The scream the ride makes seems to get louder and higher pitched each season. Poor thing.

Sad news after a girl was hit by a loose foot rail from Hero: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/flamingo-land-probe-after-two-9320361 Ride is of course going to be closed for a while. Hopefully the girl makes a full recovery!

When I did a lift hill climb on Colossus a couple of months back, I asked about whether they would repaint it. I was told it's something they'd had on the cards for a long time, but felt it was difficult to get it all done in one closed season and it was slightly difficult logistically to get it sorted. Wasn't given any indication that a repaint would happen, so clearly something has happened since then. I guess starting now to make sure they can get it all done for next season is the aim.

A photo from 'Theme Park Xtreme's' Facebook showing the colour...

Yes, here's a photo from yesterday (from TPM's FB): It'll probably be a while before it reopens (it will have a lot of testing to go through before it can be signed off presumably).

Didn't even know it had been closed, but according to the park's Twitter, only Slammer is closed.

EDIT: Spent too much time trying to find a vaguely decent original gif. :/

Heide Park seemingly have launched their own version of Towers' 'Big 6' campaign... Pretty decent idea really!

Glad that's now been confirmed, mostly because that's when I arrive at Efteling.. Excited is an understatement; just to see this thing will be incredible!

Even though Detonator is (loosely) in Angry Birds Land, it still is a great thrill ride and really does pack a punch. The drop on it is very good; I found it better than Apocalypse at Drayton, which is almost twice as tall. Whilst taller drop towers have the intimidation factor, Detonator has the edge of being able to provide a better ride experience. There's also the problem that Thorpe at restricted in how tall they can go, which would make a ride like Falcon's Fury more difficult to achieve.

With regards to the lack of roof theming... I think it's natural to 'look up' when in the maze; you're in a jungle with trees and such, it's something people will do. It's definitely disappointing that they didn't disguise it. But when I first went through it and noticed it, I didn't actually care. I was having fun within the maze and it didn't detract from my experience really. It certainly would have added to my experience if the ceiling was themed, but we have what we have I guess.

They're fun, little collectible things which are free. Anyone would be happy with them, even if they're geared towards a younger audience. Also, just because a child is too small to go on a ride, it doesn't mean they won't want a badge with that ride on (especially if they've collected others from Chessington/Legoland).

Pop badges are becoming more of a thing at Thorpe now...

Jeez, how has that gone unnoticed / unfixed for so long? Fixed.

You missed out Rumba Rapids repaint, Intamin Aquatrax and "Slammer has had a bad season, I think it should be removed" comments. EDIT: Matt posted essentially the exact post. Is closed season really THAT predictable

Posted by ScareTour on their Facebook: ScareTour are usually very reliable, so I'd be surprised if this turns out to be wrong. Will be good to have a decent amount of investment pumped into the event with 3 new attractions.

A few more sections being painted... From UK Theme Parks FB Certainly an odd thing to being doing in May. One really has to wonder what the reason for it is at this stage? But hey, could be a positive sign?!

That video, as well as the two Experiment 10 ending videos from 2012, were posted on the previous page. The company who made them (I forget the name) recently made the videos private on their YouTube account. TPC presumably either downloaded that video before their removal or for their hands on it some other way.

I still feel like the 'Merlin will build no more wing riders' is a bit of a non-statement. A wing rider wouldn't fit in at any Lego park or Chessington, and it seems unlikely that Alton would invest in one given their planning constraints and the like. Which rules out all other possible places for a wing rider instantaneously.

Yeah, 2011 was their best ever year attendance-wise I believe. It's a bit difficult to judge, as I don't think Merlin release exact figures any more, so the ones published in things like the annual TEA Attendance Report aren't wholly accurate.